Tray support assembly for use with tiltable kettles

ABSTRACT

A tray supporting assembly for use with a tiltable kettle in which the supporting frame which carries the kettle has attached to it vertically disposed cam means which, in turn, slidably receive a tray holder. The tray holder is then pivotally interconnected to one lip of the kettle by means of a bail so that upon tilting movement of the kettle, the tray support is forced downward in a vertical direction along the cam means, thereby permitting the relative relationship between the tray and the pouring spout of the kettle to be maintained regardless of the movement of the kettle from its normal upright position to its final pouring position which would be substantially horizontal or slightly beyond. In this fashion a simple, economical, yet efficient device is provided which ensures safety and accuracy of pouring with a minimum of mechanical complexity.

United States Patent [191 Vegh et al.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 1 TRAY SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH TILTABLE KETTLES[75] Inventors: Elmer S. Vegh, Lyndhurst; David Schwerzler, ClevelandHeights, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Alco Standard Corporation,

Cleveland, Ohio 221 Filed: Mar. 15, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 451,572

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Shaw 141/271 PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. SchmidtAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Teare, Teare & Sammon [57] ABSTRACT A traysupporting assembly for use with a tiltable kettle in which thesupporting frame which carries the kettle has attached to it verticallydisposed cam means which, in turn, slidably receive a tray holder. Thetray holder is then pivotally interconnected to one lip of the kettle bymeans of a bail so that upon tilting movement of the kettle, the traysupport is forced downward in a vertical direction along the cam means,thereby permitting the relative relationship between the tray and thepouring spout of the kettle to be maintained regardless of the movementof the kettle from its normal upright position to its final pouringposition which would be substantially horizontal or slightly beyond. Inthis fashion a simple, economical, yet efficient device is providedwhich ensures safety and accuracy of pouring with a minimum ofmechanical complexity.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet10f3 3,921,683

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet2of3 3,921,683

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet30f3 3,921,683

TRAY SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH TILTABLE KETTLES RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is related to Applicants copending application entitledtiltable cooking receptacle apparatus filed Feb. 22,1974, as Ser. No.444,782, which is primarily concerned with an improved means for tiltingkettles of this general nature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Applicant isaware of Shaw US. Pat. No. 3,068,912

which discloses a tiltable kettle assembly and also discloses a traymechanism which is movable in response to the tilting of the kettle. Thestructure disclosed therein is, however, considerably more complex andless stable than that disclosed herein and involves a rather intricateparallelogram type linkage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the art of food preparation, it is wellknown that food in large quantities can be prepared in quite largekettles for purposes of efficiency. The difficulty with apparatus ofthis type lies in transferring the contents of the large heavy kettle toa more manageable-size receptacle such as a tray, for example.

Accordingly, kettles of this nature have been mounted in variousassemblies which enable them to be mechanically tilted to assist inpouring the contents out of the kettle proper. Furthermore and as notedabove, attempts have been made to provide holders or supports whichwould move in response to the tilting motion of the kettle, with thesesupports receiving the smaller receptacle such as a tray or pan andbeing maintained in their relative position with respect to the lip ofthe kettle so as to avoid spillage, which is an advantage both from thestandpoint of economy and safety. Devices of this type have heretoforebeen relatively complex and unstable.

It has been discovered, however, that by providing an attachment for theside of the supporting stand, the attachment, in the form of a bracket,can be provided with fixed elongate vertical cams and thereby attains asubstantial increase in stability.

It has also been found that by providing a tray holder with elongate camtracks and interconnecting the tray holder to the lip of the kettlepivotally by means of a bail member, upon tilting of the kettle from itsupright to its horizontal position, the tray holder with its associatedcam tracks will ride in a vertical direction down the cams and therebymaintain the tray itself in a predetermined relationship to the spout ofthe kettle.

In this fashion spillage is avoided but yet a firm, strong support isprovided beneath the receiving tray.

Furthermore, this motion and effect is accomplished with a minimum ofmechanical linkages and, therefore, provides an improved and moreefficient and less trouble-prone device.

Accordingly, production of a tray supporting assembly for use withtiltable kettles of the character described becomes the principal objectof this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparentupon a reading of the following brief specification considered andinterpreted in view of the accompanying drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall tiltablekettle assembly with the tray support in place.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view, on an enlarged scale,showing the kettle and the tray holder in various stages of tilting.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the cam means.

FIG. 4 is a further exploded perspective view showing the cam means andthe support means, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 1 showingone means for tilting the kettle in question.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1,it will be noted that the overall kettle assembly includes a supportstand 10, the kettle 20, the tray support means 30, and the cam means40. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 in an exploded fashion is the tray itselfand the handle for one means of tilting the kettle.

Referring still to FIG. I for a more detailed description of the supportstand, it will be noted that the same is generally rectangular insection and includes a plurality of opposed walls 11,11, one of whichhas been designated as the front" wall 114: for purposes of description.The support stand 10 rests on a plurality of legs 12,12 and also has atop surface 13 with a circular opening 14 therein for reception of thekettle 20.

A detailed description of the support stand has not been presentedherewith since there are a number of these stands commerciallyavailable, and construction of the stand per se would be within theskill of one normally skilled in this art. Examples can be found in ShawUS. Pat. No. 3,068,912 above-noted, as well as in Applicants co-pendingapplication, Ser. No. 444,782.

Considering again FIG. 1, it will be noted that the kettle 20 generallyhas a lower hemispherical portion 21 and an upper cylindrical portion22. A flanged ring 23 surrounds the cylindrical portion 22 and isintended to rest on the lip of the opening 14 in the table so as toprevent the kettle from slipping entirely into the interior of thetable. It will be assumed that the interior of the table containsheating means, etc., as is common with regard to tables of this nature.

It will be noted that the kettle 20 has opposed arms 24,24 welded orotherwise secured to and projecting from the ring 23 in the direction ofthe front wall 11a of the support stand. Projecting upwardly from thetop surface 13 of the support stand 10 are opposed brackets 15,15, and apin or rod 25 is passed through an opening in the brackets 15,15 and asimilar opening in the projections 24,24 so that the kettle 20 ispivotally secured to the table.

Referring next then to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, it will be noted that the cammeans, generally indicated by the numeral 30, includes a U-shapedbracket which has a base 31 and opposed legs 32,32. The bracket isappropriately bored for reception of the screws 33,33 which are threadedinto the openings 1112,1111 of the support stand on its front wall 11a.In this fashion the bracket can be secured firmly to the support standas clearly shown in FIG. 1, for example.

On the outboard ends of the legs 32,32 are mounted elongate cam members35,35. It is contemplated that these cam members could. for example, becomprised of a polymeric material such as Teflon to eliminate the needfor lubrication and to provide for smooth and unhindered slidingmovement.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 4 and particularly to FIG. 4, it will benoted that the tray holder 40 also consists of a U-shaped member havinga base 41 and projecting legs 42,42. Depending from the legs 42,42 arecam tracks. 43,43 which are U-shaped in cross-section and dimensioned soas to engage the cams 35,35 in sliding contact therewith. A lower crossbrace 44 is also provided for stability purposes, and it will be seenfrom FIGS. 1 and 4 that once the bracket of the cam means has beenaffixed to the support stand, the tray support itself 40 can be slippeddown over the cams 35,35 to be in sliding engagement therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 then, it will be noted that on one portion ofthe lip of the kettle a pouring spout 26 is provided. Affixed to thebottom of this spout 26 is a spring clip 27. It will also be noted thatthe tray support 40 has a bail-like member 45 pivotally received in thelegs 42,42 thereof. This bail has its opposed end snapped into andpivotally received in the opening of the clip 27, and in this fashionthe tray support is pivotally secured to the kettle and will move inresponse to tilting movement thereof.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, for example, wherein a succession ofmovements is illustrated in full and broken lines. The normal uprightposition of the kettle is shown in full lines, while progressivemovement to an intermediate position and to a final pouring position inwhich the kettle has been tilted slightly past the horizontal is shownin broken lines. It will be noted that at all stages of movement,pressure from the spout 26 will be transmitted to the tray support 40through the bail 45, and the tray support will be forced downwardly in astraight line vertical path of movement by means of the interaction ofthe cam tracks and the cams. In this fashion the relative position ofthe tray 50, which is carried on the tray support, with respect to thepouring spout 26 will remain constant, and spillage will be avoided.

In this regard also it is believed important to note that the tray issupported directly below the point it will be receiving the contents ofthe kettle due to the straight line vertical movement thereof.

As to the means for actually tilting the kettle, reference is made toApplicants co-pending application, Ser. No. 444,782, as well as FIG. 5of this application.

FIG. 5 shows one form of manual means for tilting the kettle, whileApplicants co-pending application also shows a motor driven means forachieving the same result.

It will be noted then from FIG. 5 that a hand crank 60 is mounted on thefront wall 110 of the support stand. This crank is connected by a chaindrive 61 to an elongate shaft 62. The shaft has a threaded portion 63and a block 64 is adapted to move along the threaded portion uponrotation of the crank 60. As the block moves to the right of FIG. 5, itwillcomeinto contact with the cam 65 which is pivotally mounted on thesupport bracket 66. As the cam is rotated in an. up-

ward direction. the roller 67 and arm 68 will move from the full tochain-dotted positions. It will be noted that the roller 67 is incontact with the bottom of the hemispherical portion 21 of the kettle,and thus movement from the full to broken line positions will cause thekettle to be tilted around its point of pivotal support.

In the invention, therefore, as the kettle 20 is rotated about the pivotaxis, as at 25, the tray support via the cam 30 and bail mechanism ismoved vertically downwardly (dotted line FIG. 2) while being maintainedin a horizontal position to receive the contents.

of the kettle. Thus. the tray is moved from a position above the generalplane of the top surface 13 to a position below the same, while thespout 26 is disposed at the mid-point of the tray in full tilt positionof the kettle.

of this nature, both manually and by means of a motor such as isillustrated in applicants co-pending application, Ser. No. 444,782. Forthe purposes of this application, however, it is sufficient that thekettle. be tilted around its point of pivotal attachment to the supportstand by any means desired.

It should be noted that this assembly can be used either as anattachment to an existing tiltable kettle or in combination with anoverall assembly specifically de-.

signed for its use.

It should also be noted at this point that, while. one form of cam meanshas been specifically referred to above, the invention is not intendedto be limited to any particular material for the cams.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been setforth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it isunderstood that modifications may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tiltable kettle assembly, comprising;

A. a support stand B. a kettle l. pivotally receivable within saidsupport stand,

in sliding movement of said cam follower.

means on said cam means for moving said tray holder relative to saidsupport stand. 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein A. said cam meansinclude opposed, vertical, elongate cams; and

There are, of course, other means for tilting kettles B. said camfollower means includes opposed elongate cam tracks for slidingengagement with said cams.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means include A.a bail having 1. one end pivotally secured to said tray holder and 2.its opposed end pivotally secured to said kettle.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said kettle includes A. a projectingpouring spout; and

B. a spring clip disposed in the lower surface of said spout;

C. said opposed end of said bail being engaged by said spring clip.

5. A tray support assembly for use in combination with a tiltable kettleassembly which includes a kettle and support stand therefor, and meansfor tilting the kettle from an upright to a substantially horizontalposition, the improvement comprising:

A. cam means adapted to be secured to one side of said support stand;

B. a tray holder for supporting a tray thereon;

C. said tray holder including cam follower means slidably engaged withsaid cam means for movement of said tray holder relative to saidsupport.

stand when said cam means is secured to said support stand, and D.interconnection means pivotally connected between said tray holder andsaid kettle 1. whereby tilting movement of said kettle results insliding movement of said cam follower means on said cam means movingsaid tray holder rela tive to said support stand when said tray supportassembly is in the installed position thereof. 6. The assembly of claim5 wherein A. said cam means include opposed, vertical, elongate cams;and

B. said cam follower means includes oppoed elongate cam tracks forsliding engagement with said cams.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said last mentioned means include A.a bail having 1. one end adapted to be pivotally secured to said trayholder and 2. its opposed end adapted to be pivotally secured to saidkettle.

8. A tiltable kettle assembly, comprising;

A. an upright support stand having 1. a central vertical opening and 2.opposed front, rear, and side walls;

B. a kettle l. disposed within said opening and 2. pivotally attached tosaid support stand adjacent said front wall;

C. means carried by said support stand and adapted to tilt said kettleto a substantially horizontal positron;-

D. vertically disposed cam means secured to said front wall of saidsupport stand;

E. a tray holder for supporting a tray thereon:

F. said tray holder including cam follower means slidably cngaged withsaid cam means for vertical movement of said tray holder relative tosaid support stand; and

G. interconnection means pivotally connected between said tray holderand said kettle 1. whereby tilting movement of said kettle results insliding movement of said cam follower means on said cam means and impartsaid vertical movement to said tray holder.

1. A tiltable kettle assembly, comprising; A. a support stand B. akettle
 1. pivotally receivable within said support stand, and 2.normally disposed therein in an upright position; C. means for tiltingsaid kettle to a substantially horizongal position, and D. tray supportapparatus including
 1. cam means secured to said support stand
 2. a trayholder for supporting a tray thereon
 3. said tray holder including camfollower means slidably engaged with said cam means for movement of saidtray holder relative to said support stand, and
 4. interconnection meanspivotally connected between said tray holder and said kettle a. wherebytilting movement of said kettle results in sliding movement of said camfollower means on said cam means for moving said tray holder relative tosaid support stand.
 2. a tray holder for supporting a tray thereon 2.normally disposed therein in an upright position; C. means for tiltingsaid kettle to a substantially horizongal position, and D. tray supportapparatus including
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein A. said cam meansinclude opposed, vertical, elongate cams; and B. said cam follower meansincludes opposed elongate cam tracks for sliding engagement with saidcams.
 2. pivotally attached to said support stand adjacent said frontwall; C. means carried by said support stand and adapted to tilt saidkettle to a substantially horizontal position; D. vertically disposedcam means secured to said front wall of said support stand; E. a trayholder for supporting a tray thereon: F. said tray holder including camfollower means slidably engaged with said cam means for verticalmovement of said tray holder relative to said support stand; and G.interconnection means pivotally connected between said tray holder andsaid kettle
 2. opposed front, rear, and side walls; B. a kettle
 2. itsopposed end adapted to be pivotally secured to said kettle.
 2. itsopposed end pivotally secured to said kettle.
 3. The assembly of claim 1wherein said last mentioned means include A. a bail having
 3. said trayholder including cam follower means slidably engaged with said cam meansfor movement of said tray holder relative to said support stand, and 4.The assembly of claim 3 wherein said kettle includes A. a projectingpouring spout; and B. a spring clip disposed in the lower surface ofsaid spout; C. said opposed end of said bail being engaged by saidspring clip.
 4. interconnection means pivotally connected between saidtray holder and said kettle a. whereby tilting movement of said kettleresults in sliding movement of said cam follower means on said cam meansfor moving said tray holder relative to said support stand.
 5. A traysupport assembly for use in combination with a tiltable kettle assemblywhich includes a kettle and support stand therefor, and means fortilting the kettle from an upright to a substantially horizontalposition, the improvement comprising: A. cam means adapted to be securedto one side of said support stand; B. a tray holder for supporting atray thereon; C. said tray holder including cam follower means slidablyengaged with said cam means for movement of said tray holder relative tosaid support stand when said cam means is secured to said support stand,and D. interconnection means pivotally connected between said trayholder and said kettle
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein A. said cammeans include opposed, vertical, elongate cams; and B. said cam followermeans includes oppoed elongate cam tracks for sliding engagement withsaid cams.
 7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said last mentioned meansinclude A. a bail having
 8. A tiltable kettle assembly, comprising; A.an upright support stand having